Charity on Behalf of a Deceased Family Member

Question

My father died, may Allah have mercy on him, and I want to give ongoing charity on his behalf, such as building a mosque or printing a beneficial book. A shaykh told us this would not benefit him since it is not from his own wealth. Is this correct? And what is the best way to benefit my father?

Bottom Line

Yes, giving charity on behalf of the deceased benefits them, even if it comes from someone else’s wealth.

Quick Answer

Du‘a, charity, and Hajj on behalf of the deceased are all valid and beneficial. The most important action is sincere du‘a, but giving sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity) also benefits them by Allah’s permission.

Key Takeaways

• Charity and du‘a for the deceased are supported by authentic hadith.
• The most lasting benefit is du‘a from a righteous child, alongside sadaqah jariyah.

Detailed Answer

Islam teaches that certain good deeds continue to benefit a person after their death. Allah describes believers making du‘a for those who passed away before them:

Offering supplication (du‘aa’) for the deceased and giving charity on his behalf are all supported by religious texts, which indicate that they are permissible, and there is no contradiction between the reports. So charity may be given on behalf of the deceased person whilst offering supplication for him at the same time. But in terms of which is better, some of the scholars are of the view that offering supplication for the deceased is better than giving charity on his behalf, or that it is the best thing that can be given to the deceased in all cases.

“And those who came after them say: ‘Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in faith.’”
Al-Hashr 59:10

This establishes that du‘a is a means of benefiting the deceased. The Prophet ﷺ also said:

“When you offer the funeral prayer for the deceased, then make du‘a sincerely for him.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 962

Authentic hadith confirm that charity benefits the deceased. A man asked the Prophet ﷺ about his mother, who died suddenly, and whether charity on her behalf would help her. He replied:

“Yes.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1388); (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1004)

Similarly, Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubadah donated a garden for his deceased mother, and the Prophet ﷺ approved Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2756

Hajj may also be done on behalf of the deceased, as the Prophet ﷺ likened it to paying a debt owed to Allah Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6699; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1148

The Prophet ﷺ summarized the matter clearly:

“When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1631

Thus, the view that only wealth personally donated by the deceased benefits them is incorrect. The consensus of scholars is that du‘a, charity, and Hajj on behalf of the deceased all bring benefit.

What This Means for You

The best way to benefit your father is to make abundant du‘a for him. In addition, you can give charity on his behalf, such as:

These acts are all considered sadaqah jariyah, and the reward will reach your father by Allah’s mercy.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Qur’an

1. Al-Hashr 59:10: Du‘a for those who preceded us in faith.

Hadith

2. Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 962: Instruction to make du‘a for the deceased in the funeral prayer.
3. Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1388; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1004: Charity benefits the deceased.
4. Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2756: Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubadah gave charity for his deceased mother.
5. Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6699; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1148: Hajj on behalf of the deceased.
6. Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1631: Three ongoing deeds that benefit after death.

Secondary Sources

7. Al-Nawawi, Sharh Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: On charity for the deceased.
8. Ibn Qudāmah, al-Mughni: On sadaqah jariyah and Hajj for the deceased.
9. Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (7/72): Consensus on charity benefiting the dead.